From the mission field: Witnessing to Christ at all times

Vicar Peter Williams, an LCMS missionary, talks to a Muslim street apologist in San Diego. Williams will soon be deploying to Germany. (Courtesy of Peter Williams)

This month’s update comes from Vicar Peter Williams, who is preparing for missionary service in Germany.

Even though I am still in the preparation phase — traveling and visiting Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) parishes, sharing the news about my vicarage assignment — the work of bearing witness to Christ and His Gospel is always present.

One thing I’ve learned and grown to appreciate is how much my work in visiting congregations involves sharing each other’s burdens and rejoicing together in the Gospel. By visiting congregations, I am honored to share what “Lutheran mission” looks like in practice. In return, I learn from congregations and their members about their experiences in evangelism and building the church together.

While in San Diego, I had the opportunity to sit down with several pastors, especially those who serve in areas with Arabic and Farsi-speaking migrants. I learned what challenges exist and how they have strategized making a good confession of Christ in a complex environment. I am very grateful for their time and willingness to teach the next generation of pastors.

In Danville, Calif., at Messiah Lutheran Church, I had the great privilege of meeting an older Iranian gentleman of Islamic background who has lived in the U.S. for over a decade and who has found the Lutheran church. With very little English, he faithfully attends every Sunday. In spite of the language barrier, God has drawn him to the place where the Word and Sacraments of our Lord are faithfully proclaimed. May God be praised for such fruit!

Also while in San Diego, I had the extraordinary chance to engage with Muslim street apologists who are active in the area. I just happened to see their tent after presenting at two neighboring LCMS churches, and I started a conversation. It was very enlightening to learn straight from their own sources what they think about Christianity.

Perhaps the most important takeaway was the fact that they do not know any concept of grace, at least, not as the New Testament defines it. In their religion, God’s mercy is dependent on a life of piety. The Muslim apologist kept making the claim that God can forgive sins without a sacrifice, and yet the only way you can hope to have forgiveness is by “du’a,” supplication or prayer for mercy. In this model, a man never knows for sure if God forgives him; he only can hope that maybe God hears his prayers.

Christianity offers such a different picture! We have a God who forgives our sins not on account of any sacrifice or prayer we can offer. Rather, it is the sacrifice of the Lamb of God that He provides to atone for the sins of the world.

Praise be to God who spoke through the prophets and the apostles once and for all, promising that His Word is eternal, always bearing witness to the same Lord and Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, the true Son of God.

Learn more about Williams’ missionary service at lcms.org/williams.

Posted Oct. 14, 2025